New Quilt Layout for Fabric Panels and Six-Inch Blocks

One of the people I enjoy following on Facebook is Julie Silber Quilts. Julie specializes in collecting and reselling antique quilts, and she recently shared a fascinating 19th-century “Calendar” quilt made from cheater cloth.


As soon as I saw the quilt, I found myself studying the layout and thinking about how it could be recreated in Electric Quilt 8. The more I analyzed it, the more intrigued I became. The original quilt appears to include a number of inset seams, since both the calendar blocks and most of the on-point squares were created from single pieces of fabric.
​
Then came the exciting realization — this antique layout would work beautifully for modern fabric panels featuring multiple same-sized images. It’s very similar to the concept of cheater cloth, but with endless creative possibilities. The layout could also showcase collections of pieced blocks, making it a wonderfully versatile quilt design.

Calendar Quilt Collected by Julie Silber

---

Selecting a Fabric Panel

While searching for the perfect project inspiration, I discovered the American Tapestry Quilt Blocks Panel by QT Fabrics on Etsy. Designed by Dan Morris, this patriotic panel celebrates classic red, white, and blue Americana style.

The 44" x 36" panel contains 24 unique six-inch blocks with enough spacing between the motifs to allow for seam allowances. It immediately reminded me of the antique Calendar quilt layout, and I knew it would be the perfect choice for recreating the design in EQ8.
​
Download the American Tapestry panel image and save it to your computer. I recommend placing it in your My EQ8 > Images folder so it will be easy to locate later.

American Tapestry Quilt Blocks Panel from QT Fabrics

Since the panel will not be used as a single fabric image in the quilt, there’s no need to cut it into 24 separate files. Instead, resize the image to match the physical dimensions of the panel and save it as a fabric within your EQ8 project.

---

Drafting the Sashing Block

The original quilt contains one pieced element used in the sashing. Unlike a standard square or rectangle, this unusual block has six edges with triangular cutouts on two sides.
​
To draft this shape in EQ8, I recommend using the PolyDraw toolkit. PolyDraw is ideal because it allows you to create patches instead of simply drawing lines and arcs. Even better, it lets portions of the block remain blank — exactly what’s needed for this design.

4" x 6" Sashing Block

---

Creating the Quilt Layout

On the Quilt Worktable, begin a new quilt using a horizontal layout. Set the block size to 6" x 6", which matches the finished size of each printed block in the panel.

Set the sashing width to 4" and include a sashed border.

Place the PolyDraw sashing block in all sashing spaces.
​
For the six-inch blocks, color the blocks with the American Tapestry fabric. Then use the fussy-cut feature to highlight a different section of the panel within each block.

American Tapestry Quilt Layer 1

---

Adding the On-Point Squares

To fill the remaining spaces in the quilt, create three additional PolyDraw blocks:

• On-Point Square
• Modified On-Point Square for quilt edges
• Modified On-Point Square for quilt corners

​
By drafting these shapes in PolyDraw and placing them on Layer 2, you can take full advantage of EQ8’s Snap to Grid feature. This makes positioning and aligning the blocks incredibly easy.

PolyDraw On Point Square

PolyDraw On Point Square with One Corner Removed

PolyDraw On Point Square with Two Corners Removed

Tip:
If the modified on-point square does not display correctly on the Color tab, try adding an extra patch temporarily. Once the shape appears correctly, delete the added patch.

---

Finishing the Quilt

After all the blocks are in place, experiment with color placement and fabric combinations. Although not shown in the video, I also created a second version of the quilt using coordinating American Tapestry fabrics from QT Fabrics.

You can download individual fabric swatches directly from their website.

American Tapestry Panel Quilt - Coloration 1

American Tapestry Panel Quilt - Coloration 2

---

Be sure to watch the full video for step-by-step instructions on drafting and assembling this quilt layout in EQ8.

---

Eliminating Inset Seams

If you want the on-point squares to remain single pieces of fabric, the quilt will require inset seams. Since inset seams can feel intimidating, I wanted to share an alternative construction method that avoids them completely.

Begin by selecting Layer 2 and deleting all the Layer 2 blocks.

Next, return to the Block Worktable and modify the sashing block by adding triangles to the top and bottom edges. Back on the Quilt Worktable, use the Set Block tool to replace the original sashing block with the modified version.

Finally, color the cornerstones and added triangles to coordinate with the adjacent cornerstone.

This method introduces additional seams, but it completely eliminates inset seams and may make construction much more approachable for many quilters.

Optional Sashing Block for Design without Inset Seams

---

​Quilt Layouts with EQ8 - Special Class Offering

Do you struggle with moving beyond simple horizontal and on-point quilt layouts? Or wonder how to choose the best layout when designing a quilt?

For a limited time, I’m opening my Quilt Layouts in EQ8 class to quilters outside of the Tech Know Quilters membership.

In this one-month class, you’ll learn how to:

• Work confidently with Layers 1, 2, and 3
• Add quilting designs directly into quilt layouts
• Use custom set tools for advanced layouts
• Modify standard EQ library layouts
• Design one-patch and stained-glass style quilts
• Create sampler quilts with personalized sizing
• Build dimensional “baby blocks” quilts
• Turn photos into pixelated quilt designs
• Simplify pixel quilts for easier piecing
• Analyze existing quilts and determine the best EQ8 layout tools to recreate them

This hands-on class is designed to help you think creatively while mastering practical EQ8 skills.

The class is currently on sale for $53 (regularly $73) and enrollment is open through May 30, 2026.

---

Join the On Point Quilter weekly newsletter and receive regular tips and inspiration on using Electric Quilt 8 along with the  Free 12 Top
Tips for EQ8 video guide.